§ Captain FOXCROFTasked the Secretary of State for Air on how many occasions during the 12 months ending 30th September, 1925, were courts of inquiry held to inquire into aircraft accidents; were the witnesses sworn; were counsel present, with liberty to examine and cross-examine, representing relatives of deceased and others concerned; and, if counsel were not present, was this due to the parties interested not desiring their presence?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs regards the first part of the question, 179 courts of inquiry were held to investigate aircraft accidents in the Royal Air Force during the period named. As regards the remaining parts of the question, such courts of inquiry are neither open courts nor judicial tribunals, and it is extremely rare for witnesses to be sworn or for counsel to be present, but to give a precise answer to the question asked by my hon. and gallant Friend would involve a detailed scrutiny of the proceedings of each of the courts of inquiry above referred to, and in the circumstances I do-not think that the labour entailed would be justified.